Contents

Biography

Johann George Bechtel (aka John George Bechtel) was born in the early 1700s in Germany. In accordance with 18th Century German naming conventions, his baptismal name was Johann (or John); however the name he was known by was George.[1]

Per the biography of Dr. Joseph Y. Bechtel, MD, which was published in 1895: "The lineage of his family is traced back authentically to John George Bechtel of Germany, who left his native land in 1728, as one of a colony of emigrants of the Reformed church faith. He came on the ship Mortonhouse, John Coultas, master, which weighed anchor at Diehl, June 15, 1728, and arrived at Philadelphia, August 24, the same year. Mr. Bechtel settled near the site of Pottstown, where he bought a farm. Some years afterward, upon the death of his father, he returned to Germany in order to obtain his share of the paternal estate, and died on his return voyage, while the vessel was along the coast of the Carolinas. His widow, whose maiden name was Anna Mary Clingman, remained on the farm and reared their two children, George and Catherine, the latter of whom wedded Samuel Landis." [Note: The name of Catherine's husband was actually Samuel Sands.][2]

In addition to the error in the surname of daughter Catherine's husband, the immigration date is incorrect in the above biographical sketch. The 1728 immigration on the ship Mortonhouse refers to a different George Bechtel who also settled in southeastern Pennsylvania. This George immigrated in 1743. He arrived at the port of Philadelphia on Sept. 30, 1743 on the ship Robert and Alice. This is the date given in a Reading Eagle article published about the Bechtel Family on October 1, 1916 and is more consistent with the other events in his life.

George Bechtel's estate was probated in Berks County, PA in 1750. He apparently wrote a will prior to his return to Germany. An abstract is as follows:

BECHTELL, GEORGE, Amity Township. November 14, 1748. Mentioned wife Anna Mary and 2 children. Wit: Michael MESSENGER and Valentine EAMS who affirmed April 8, 1751, that they saw John George BECHTELL the testator sign his will.

Adm. to George SHETTLER who married Anna Maria late wife of George BECHTELL, date April 8, 1751.[3]

Wiley, Samuel T.. Biographical and portrait cyclopedia of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with an introductory historical sketch. Philadelphia: Biographical Pub. Co., 1895.

Search
Searching for someone else?
First: Last:
DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships with George by comparing test results with other carriers of his Y-chromosome or his mother's mitochondrial DNA.
However, there are no known yDNA or mtDNA test-takers in his direct paternal or maternal line.
It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share DNA with George:

IMPORTANT PRIVACY NOTICE & DISCLAIMER: YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO USE CAUTION WHEN DISTRIBUTING PRIVATE INFORMATION. WIKITREE PROTECTS MOST SENSITIVE INFORMATION BUT ONLY TO THE EXTENT STATED IN THE TERMS OF SERVICE AND PRIVACY POLICY.